Irvine computer maker Gateway Inc. is selling its struggling business selling computers and services to businesses for $90 million, ahead of its own $710 million sale to Taiwan’s Acer Inc.
Idaho’s MPC Corp., a seller of computers and related products with yearly sales of about $200 million, is buying the business from Gateway.
MPC plans to take over the unit’s operations and warranty support services, which Gateway values at about $60 million.
Gateway also is taking a 20% stake in MPC, which is valued at about $20 million.
The sale, which includes Gateway’s Nashville configuration center, is set to close in the fourth quarter.
MPC plans to keep the Gateway Professional name for the business and then move to the MPC brand within a year, according to the company.
In August, Acer said it plans to acquire Gateway’s main business selling computers through stores and online.
The deal has been approved by the boards of Gateway and Acer and is expected to close in December.
